P is for…… Prussia
Continuing the family of my late Cousin’s wife. You can read earlier posts that connect to this family HERE, HERE & HERE.
The Hartwig’s, Hohnberg’s, and Noack’s migrated from Prussia. This was apart of Europe that I actually knew little about and the first things I did were to locate a map of the region.
Courtesy of the Wendish Heritage Society of Australia |
- Religion – Government Policy stopped the population from being able to follow their chosen Religious Worship in their own way. There had been migration because of this issue from the 17th Century and the destinations of choice at that time was the UK, USA and Russia. The Old Lutherans from the Prussian provinces of Silesia, Bradenberg and Posen who migrated to South Australia in the 1830s. They opposed King Friedrich Wilhelm III enforced union with the Calvinist Church and disagreed with the new prayer book.
- Economics – Following the end of the Napoleonic War there was an increased workforce as soldiers returned home and their became a shortage of land and work. Gradually prices started to increase, yet the wages did not.
- Political – There was compulsory military service which is was ultimately disagreed with by the masses. In 1848 there was a failed Revolution. The masses wanted to create a United German nation with an Emperor. The masses also wanted a democracy and to have an elected Government that would be responsible for Parliament.
- Social – Changes to social standing within a community was instrumental. Changes occurred due to a selection of reasons, farmers because of the economic climate becoming labourers, sons of wealthy farmers inheriting a proportion of the estate as it was shared amongst family members. Whilst individuals could do OK, there were curious whether they could do better in another land. Many Germans migrated in the Gold Rush period.
Terrific Blog … Sure is important to put out Ancestors into an historical/geographical contest. I'll be checking out “A History of Germans to Australia 1839-1945” to add to my knowledge base. Thanks Julie. Cheers, Catherine.
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It's so very important to have an idea of context and that means reading around the topic. As well as the external circumstances I'm convinced some people were just more emigration-willing.
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Terrific post and an important one. Particularly in the US, geneology is alive and well.
If you've the time, pop over to my blog. I'm the author of the Bella and Britt series for kids.
Thanks for the great post
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Stopping by via the A – Z Challenge.. so much info here about Prussia.. I love it! I live in Pennsylvania and we have a mall called the King of Prussia mall. 🙂
Have a great day!
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Thanks for stopping by & the follow!
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Traveling through the A-Z challenge and stopping here to say hi :)Happy alphabet!
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